The parade, organized by the North Aurora Mothers Club, will step off at 3 p.m. at Clocktower Plaza on the corner of Randall Road and Oak Street and then proceed east on Oak Street, ending at North Aurora Island Park on the riverfront.

"It is a great way for the community to get together," said Cristy Petitjean, a North Aurora Mothers Club member and the parade's coordinator.

The Jesse White Tumbling Team was founded in 1959 by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Other new entries in the 42-unit parade include "Star Wars" characters and representatives from the Raging Waves Waterpark in Yorkville, she said.

This year's theme is "Heroes Among Us." After the parade, the North Aurora River District Alliance will sponsor a party with food vendors, family-friendly activities and the annual rubber duck race.

The parade's grand marshal is Steve Miller, who recently retired as North Aurora fire chief. Miller also is receiving the North Aurora Mother Club's Commitment to Community award this year. The winners of the North Aurora King and Queen scholarships are West Aurora seniors Andrew Auriene and Alicia Rotolo.

From 2 to 5 p.m., there will be temporary road closings for the parade on Oak Street from Randall Road to Lincolnway (Route 31), Adams Street from Oak to State Street, State Street between Routes 31 and 25, and Grant Street at State Street.

The North Aurora River District Alliance's duck race is a fundraiser for the group. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for a "Quak Pack," which is five tickets. The group wants to install a rain garden next to its Water Wonders interactive stream on the riverfront.

"We hope to break ground this year," said Chris Faber, the group's treasurer, who also is a North Aurora village trustee.